The 10 Best Cars That Still Offer a Manual Transmission

Every year fewer cars are offered with a clutch and a shifter. For one thing, it's simply easier for drivers to let an automatic or an automated manual with paddle shifters do the work for them. And in sports cars (the worst offenders), the newest computer-controlled transmissions shift more quickly than any human can, so engineers see the manual being as outdated as a caveman's club. But we disagree. A manual is more engaging and fun, requires more skill, and makes the driver better. Here are 10 of the greatest driver's cars that still offer a manual transmission.

2012 Mazda Miata

2012 Mazda Miata

Since the summer of 1989, the reasonably priced Mazda MX-5 Miata has been thrilling sports car fans with its featherweight rear-drive chassis (just over 2000 pounds) and drop-top fun-in-the-sun persona. The Miata's organically responsive handling, mixed with a large dollop of 1960s British roadster, drew buyers by the tens of thousands. But it's no stretch to say that it was Mazda's brilliant five-speed manual transmission that created much of the trill. The stubby little shifter was so effortless that it moved with just a modest flick of the wrist. The second generation Miata in 1999 got one more gear for the 10th anniversary models; that six-speed remained optional (the five-speed was standard) well into the third generation and was equally great to use.

Miata's sports car formula has lasted for more than two decades, and it's no surprise. For 20-plus years Mazda has offered one of the best manual transmissions available on any car at any price.

2013 Subaru BRZ (aka Scion FR-S)

2013 Subaru BRZ (aka Scion FR-S)

One of the most highly anticipated machines of the year is the joint-venture sports car between Subaru and Toyota (which makes Scion). Subaru's BRZ will reportedly have the slight performance edge on the Scion version of this car, but both are lightweight (around 2700 pounds), rear-wheel drive, pack 200 horsepower four-cylinder engines, and come standard with a six-speed manual. These twins are the first credible sports car challengers to the Mazda Miata since the late Saturn Sky and Pontiac Solstice.

Naturally, the engineers were tempted to design a heavier and more expensive twin-clutch, paddle-shift transmission instead of a manual. But we're sure glad they didn't. Besides, Subaru's goal wasn't just to match its direct competition, like the Miata, but to provide the same level of driving involvement as a Porsche Cayman by making the BRZ as rewarding and organic-feeling as possible. The early drive reports seem to confirm that the team met that goal—during PM's first drive in Japan, the six-speed manual was precise and satisfying. We predict Subaru (and Scion) will sell quite a lot of six-speed manual sports cars.